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Raiders of the Public Coffers

14/05/2023 14:48

While the majority of the public want cuts in allocations to religious institutions, the Coalition is buying the votes of the ultra-orthodox parties, spending additional billions of tax money in shear contradiction to Israel’s security, economic and social interests. Shame on them!

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Politicians heap insults upon non-Orthodox Jewry

08/02/2016 17:50

Will Netanyahu seriously take a stand, confront these bigoted leaders and do something of substance against their venomous insults? Moreover, will Netanyahu do what it takes to truly ensure that all Jews feel at home in Israel, and that equality and pluralism extend beyond the southern Kotel plaza?

Ministry of Religious Services budget increased by more than 100%

Shahar Ilan 24/12/2015 17:04

The budget for the construction and renovation of buildings for religious services will be increased by 50 million NIS (123%), the budget for the Ministry of Religious Services will be increased to nearly 150%, and the budget for cemeteries will be increase by 500%. The millions budgeted for the ultra-Orthodox parties by the Likud in exchange for their political support were merely a down payment - a base level for further increases.

Analysis of Israelis from the Former Soviet Union

David Bogomolny 19/08/2015 01:41

The graphs below show the opinions held by FSU olim in Israel, as compared to the general, Jewish Israeli public. It should go without saying that this demographic is the most adversely affected by the Orthodox Rabbinate's monopolistic powers, and there is no way one could envisage the successful absorption of the FSU immigrant population into Israel society if these issues are not resolved - first and foremost, the right to marry freely!

The phenomenon of sex segregated bus lines is growing!

16/07/2015 16:12

An ultra-Orthodox myth is that ultra-Orthodox women really want to sit in the back of the bus, so we shouldn’t interfere with the growing phenomenon of gender-segregated bus lines. However, ultra-Orthodox blogger Chani Weiser of B’nai Brak has recently come out publicly, challenging her community’s self-righteous claims. She does not want to sit at the back of the bus!

A threatening hint: deleting women from the public sphere

14/06/2015 16:57

We are once again reminded of the deleterious impact of religious fundamentalism on gender equality. We come back to this phenomenon because its seriousness is compounded by the fact that these aberrations often represent major segments of Israel’s body politic, which have now returned to the front of the political stage.

Selling out to the ultra-Orthodox parties - what cost?

01/05/2015 01:52

UTJ was one of the first parties to sign a coalition agreement with the Likud. What are the costs to the Israeli government and taxpayers associated with this agreement?

Ultra-Orthodox women and men: Drastically diverging employment trends

23/11/2014 23:30

Why are more ultra-Orthodox women in Israel employed than ever before? And why are fewer ultra-Orthodox men in Israel employed than ever before? What should be done?

Rabbi Shlomo Amar's Uncandid Candidacy

27/10/2014 20:21

Rabbi Shlomo Amar was elected Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Jerusalem after some back room wheeling and dealing. He invited Dr. Laura Wharton and Rabbi Bandel of Meretz over during the holiday of Sukkot to secure the Meretz vote, and then he claimed not to know them.

Ultra-Orthodox Extremists Assaulting IDF Soldiers

08/10/2014 15:54

In ultra-Orthodox cities and neighborhoods, IDF soldiers get assaulted with jeers and thrown objects by an extremist ultra-Orthodox minority. They are often made unwelcome in synagogues when they come to pray and when they visit to soak in the atmosphere of the High Holy Days.

Reserve combat soldier returns from war protesting that he cannot marry his fiancée because of Orthodox marriage monopoly

11/08/2014 15:18

Yet another heartbreaking story about an Israeli couple unable to marry in Israel because of the Orthodox Chief Rabbinate's monopoly on marriage. The answer is simple: freedom of marriage!